longwood
A MAG A Z I N E FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY FALL 2 0 1 2
Publisher
Longwood University Foundation Inc. Robert Burger Jr., President Editor
Sabrina Brown Creative Director
David Whaley Associate Editor
Kent Booty Photographer
FROM TH E PR ESID ENT Hello alumni, parents and friends! I am so honored to have the opportunity to serve as interim president during this time of transition for Longwood University. Summer has been a whirlwind of activity, and we are well-positioned to accomplish a great deal in the coming year. We have something special here, and I want to continue to build on our past success.
Andrea Dailey Contributors
Troy Austin, Kevin Bryant ’05, Dyann Busse, Gina Caldwell, David Driver, Diane Easter, Patrick Folliard, Richard Foster, Lauren Gabor, Jeff Halliday, Michael Mergen, Greg Prouty, Gary Robertson Advisor y Board
Strategic Planning Over the next year, I plan to work with our campus leadership to lay the foundation for an enhanced strategic planning process that will serve as a framework for many years to come.This is crucial not only for our 2014 reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools but also for effective internal decision making. We have strong leaders with interesting and creative ideas, ready to come together for a common goal and vision.
Larissa Fergeson, Franklin Grant ’80, Suzy Palmer, Kenneth Perkins, Bryan Rowland, Nancy Shelton ’68, Bennie Waller ’90, Elizabeth Power-deFur Board of Visitors
Marianne M. Radcliff ’92, Rector, Richmond John W. Daniel II, Richmond Edward I. Gordon, Farmville Eric Hansen, Lynchburg Rita B. Hughes ’74, Virginia Beach Thomas A. Johnson, Lynchburg Judi M. Lynch ’87, Vice Rector, Richmond Jane S. Maddux, Charlottesville Stephen Mobley ’93, McLean Brad E. Schwartz ’84, Chesapeake Shelby J. Walker M.S. ’93, Charlotte Courthouse Lacy Ward Jr., Farmville Ronald Olswyn White, Midlothian Editorial offices for Longwood magazine are maintained at the Office of Public Relations, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909. Telephone: 434-395-2020; email: pr@longwood.edu. Comments, letters and contributions are encouraged. Printed on recycled stocks. No state funds were used to print this publication. To request this magazine in alternate format (large print, braille, audio, etc.), please contact the Longwood Learning Center, 434-395-2391; TRS: 711. Published September 2012
Financial Bandwidth With state funding continuing to be unreliable, it is more important than ever for us to focus on financial bandwidth. We are committed to ensuring that the cost of education is within reach of our students.To accomplish that while maintaining our high standards is challenging—but I believe we are up to the task. From increased efficiencies to finding new revenue streams, we will be reviewing our processes to determine the most effective means of managing the institution. Communication I am so pleased to have the opportunity to communicate with you through Longwood magazine. I also encourage you to visit our websites—www.longwood.edu, www.why longwood.com, www.longwoodlink.com and www.longwoodlancers.com—for current news and activities. I believe communication is crucial to a productive and engaging campus environment, and it is my goal to improve communication from my office with all constituencies. I want you to be proud of Longwood University and the successes of our faculty, staff and students, and I am looking forward to sharing our good news with you. Visibility Longwood University and all that we have to offer should not be a well-kept secret! We’ve made some progress in building our brand and reputation, but there’s more to do. I am committed to meeting with donors, legislators, parents, board members, alumni, prospective students and other friends of Longwood to make sure they know what makes our university special. From our increasingly global perspective to our focus on citizen leadership, from a commitment to honor that has spanned more than 100 years to a dedicated and nurturing faculty, the good news is plentiful, and I need your help spreading the word that Longwood should be a first choice for prospective students. Our alumni know Longwood provided opportunities that enabled them to grow as leaders and as citizens of the world. We all need to show our Lancer pride! I am looking forward to what the next year will bring, and I appreciate the support I have already received during my first few months in the President’s Office. I am excited about the possibilities and the opportunity to make a difference. Go Lancers!
Marge Connelly Interim President
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